Obituaries – June 19th Issue
DEBBIE BURNETTE
Debbie Burnette, 62, of Trenton, passed away Friday, June 14, 2024.
She was loving, caring, and the funniest person ever.
Debbie was preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Kathy Johnson, Jr.; sister, Edie McCulligh; and son. Dale McCulligh.
Survivors include her husband of 35 years, Tim Burnette; daughters, Crystal (BJ) Cooper, Katie (Kevin Long) Koger; special children, Steve McCulligh, Beth McCulligh, and Brittany Burnette; grandchildren, Evan and Gavin Koger, Destiny and Dylon McCulligh, Jesstine, Olivia, and Sammy McCulligh; Seaun and Nick McCulligh; great-granddaughter, Violet Koger.
A Celebration of Life service was Tuesday, June 18, in the funeral home chapel with Billy Joe Conner, Sr., officiating.
Expressions of sympathy may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
LEONARD CASEY
Leonard Elmer “Paw” Casey, 79, of Trenton, passed away Monday, June 10, 2024.
Mr. Casey was born in 1944 to the late Horace Edward and Jewel Frances Wright Casey in Dade County, was a self-employed welder, and a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was a sports enthusiast, loved music, and enjoyed fishing and all things outdoors.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Suzy Casey; children, Lisa Zabriskie, Linda (Sam) Higdon, and Leonard Casey, Jr; sisters, Joyce Vineyard, Daisy Hixon, Marylan Pickett, and Thelma Dykes; brother, Horace (Polly) Casey; 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Tuesday, June 18, in the funeral home chapel with full military honors by American Legion Post #106. Interment was in the Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Online condolences may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.
STEVE FOSTER
Stephen Harold Foster (Steve), 68, of Trenton, passed away June 14, 2024, after a brief illness.
He was born March 8, 1956, in Monticello, Ky., to Harold Dempsey Foster and the late Joy Ruth Kidd.
He was saved at a young age and joined the Monticello Church of the Nazarene, where he assisted his father during construction of the church. He was a champion bible quizzer and won many awards, including the opportunity to compete in the world playoffs alongside his brother Mac, where they traveled to Switzerland and brought home the second place trophy. He graduated from Wayne County High School in Monticello, Ky., in 1974. During his time as a Wayne County Cardinal, he played baseball and football. He earned the position of All-State middle linebacker his senior year. He went on to briefly attend Trevecca Nazarene University on a baseball scholarship, where he studied civil engineering before he left school to go to work. Throughout his long working career, he dedicated himself to operating heavy equipment. He was a member of the International Society of Explosives Engineers and took great pride in his skills as an operator and blaster. Steve met his wife, Kim, when work brought him to the Tennessee/North Georgia area in the late 1990s.
He had a deep passion for sports and was an avid supporter of University of Kentucky athletics, especially basketball. He was also an Atlanta Braves, Nashville Predators, and Tennessee Titans fan. After retirement, he could often be found sitting at his dining room table watching sports.
Steve was preceded in death by his wife, Kim Foster; mother, Joy Ruth Kidd Foster; brother, Marty Kay Foster; paternal grandparents, Nellie and Thomas Foster; maternal grandparents, Dennis and Zella Kidd, and Eltie McFarland.
Survivors include his children, Steve (Katie) Foster of Louisville, Ky., Jennifer (Chris) Foster of Lexington, Ky., Jessica (Michael) Short of Trenton, and Mandy (Mark) Kenimer of Trenton; grandchildren, Kieran and Sloan Foster, Liam and Zoe Rhorer, Skylar Gann, and Skylar Short; father, Dempsey Foster; brother, Mac (Patricia) Foster; nephews, Brian (Elizabeth) Foster and Josh Foster; niece, Andrea (Brian) Jones; and his late wife’s parents, J.P. and Liz Forshee.
A graveside service was Wednesday, June 19, in the Bethlehem Cemetery in Trenton.
Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Trenton.
JENNIFER MATHIS
Jennifer Lynn Mathis, 38, of Trenton, passed away Thursday, June 13, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Jennifer was an inspiration to the world and to her mother, as her laughter and smile could light up any room.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Rick Johnson; father, Michael Mathis, Sr., grandparents, Ralph “Bud” York, Lora Lee York, Leon Mathis, and Patsy Mathis.
Survivors include her mother, Tammy (Bruce) Cooper of Trenton; brothers, Michael Mathis, Jr., Samuel Chapman, and Johnathon Cooper; niece, Paris Mathis; nephew, Gavin Mathis; aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Online condolences may be shared at ryanfuneralhome.net.
A Celebration of Life service was Saturday, June 15, in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Gary Bone officiating.
Arrangements by Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory, Trenton.